Vault.



W. REES.

VAULT.

APPLICATION FILED Mum, 1909.

1 ,108,105, Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

2 Z 2 SHEETSSHEET l.

7 7, a i a 7 7 F161 2 FIG WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

. 17,9175? iffd,

W/IJI/T/M7 9 j r W. REES.

VAULT. 4

APPLICATION FILED MAE. 9, 1909. 1,108,105. Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

Y 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

WITN Z E INVENTOR: a g i; 5 man? 9555,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER REES, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM H. I-IOLLAR, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

VAULT.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Wanna Its-us, of Philadelphia. in the State of Pennsylvania have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Vault-s, whereof the following is a specification reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention may be advantageously employed in constructing vaults having walls formed of armor plates or other massive metal slabs which are primarily separate, and relates particularly to means for interlocking such slabs at their junctions.

As hereinafter described, my improved interlocking means includes removable bars having projecting members extending in parallel relation with each other and fitted to corresponding parallel recesses in the ad jacent slabs. Said parallel projecting members are inserted in said recesses in such oblique relation to the planes of said slabs that the latter cannot be separated while thus interlocked by said members; the latter members may also be connected to the slabs by removable attaching means which normally prevent their withdrawal.

My invention comprises the various novel features of construct-ion and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

In the drawings; Figure I is a vertical sectional view of a vault embodying my in vention. Fig. II is a fragmentary sectional view showing the lower left hand corner of Fig. I on a larger scale. Fig. III is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. II, but showing a modified form of the invention. Fig. IV is a perspective view of a fragment of a locking bar of the type shown in Figs. I to III. Fig. V is a vertical sectional view of a vault showing a modified form of my invention. Fig. VI is a fragmentary sectional view showing the lower left hand corner of Fig. V on a larger scale. Fig. VII is an edge view of a locking bar of the type shown in Figs. V and VI.

Referring to the form of my invention shown in Figs. I to IV inclusive; 1 is a vault chamber inclosed by walls formed of horizontal slabs 2 and vertical slabs 3, re spectively provided with undercut recesses 4t and 5, which extend in parallel relation with each other but in oblique relation to the horizontal and vertical planes of said slabs. The locking bars 7, have limbs 8,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application. filed March '5, 1309.

Patented A11 18, 1914.

Serial No. 482,269.

conveniently dis ion to each on. ..r web. con

er, formin necting the proj in parallel relation with each to it into said parallel recesses iilthoigh as shown in Figs. I nabs and 3, are not interen connected solely by the locks to be understood that said he interengaged independently of said bars; for instance. as shown in Fir. III. where the slab 2 is provided with tlib mortise 10, and the slab 3 is provided with the tenon lhengaged in said mortise. It is to be understood that said slabs 2 and 3, assembled in the rectangular posit-ion shown in I' II, before the locking bars 7 are inserted, arl that the latter are then inserted in the direction of the arrow, 2'. 0. parallel with tie direction of said projections on the bar and recesses in said slabs. any convenient means may be employed to detach-ably retain said locking bars in posi tion, for instan the screws 14: indicated in II and III. As shown; said slabs 2 ant. 2% are mace thinner at their contiguous mar us than elsewhere, to such an extent that the locking bars 7 may be fitted therein with heir limbs 8 flush with the interior faces of said slabs. IIowever. said slabs may be made as thick at their margins as elsewhere, and the locking bars be otherwise shaped and disposed.

Referring to the form of my invention shown in Figs. V to VII inclusive; the horizontal slabs 16 and vertical slabs 17, forming the walls of the vault chamber 18, are connected by locking bars 20 having cylindriforin projecting men hers 21, extending with their axes in parallel relation and fitted in correspondingly shaped recesses 9.3. undercut in the contiguous margins of said slabs. 'l is axes of said locking bar projections extend obliquely to the horizontal and vertical planes of said slabs lil: the projections on the locking bars 7 above described. and may be similarly inserted and secured.

It may be observed that in the latter form of my invent-ion the contiguous margins of the slabs 1G and 17, are precisely alike, whereas, the slabs 2 and 3 are differently shaped so that the margins of the slabs 2 overlap the edges of the slabs 3. However, it is to be understood that slabs which are t a right anguectiue' flanges overlapped as shown in Fig. I, may be connected by locking bars of the type shown in Fig. V, and vice versa.

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement above described, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein with out departing from the essential features of my invention as defined in the appended claims. 9

I claim 1. In a vault, the combination joining metallic wall slabs extending at right angles to each other and each having a recess adjacent to the other slab; the opposite surfaces of said recesses being parallel with each other and with the junction of said slabs'; of a locking bar having projections extendingtransversely to said bar and parallel with eachother insertedin said recesses and interlocking said slabs; said bar being removable in a direction transverse with respect to the planes of said slabs; and attaching means detachably retaining said bar'in operative position,

2. In a vault, the combination with adjoining metallic wall slabs extending at right angles to each other and each having a recess adjacent to the other slabs; the opposite surfaces of said recesses being parallel with each other and wit-h the junction ofsaid slabs; of a locking'bar having projections extending transversely to said bar and parallel with each other inserted in said recesses and interlocking said slabs; said bar being removable in. a direction transverse with respect to the planes of said slabs.

3. In a vault, the combination wit-h metallic wall slabs, each having an undercut recess adjacent to the other slab; the opposite surfaces of said recesses being parallel with each other; of alocking bar having projections extending transversely to said bar and parallel with each other inserted in said recesses and interlocking said slabs; said bar being removable in a direction transverse with respect to the planes of said slabs.

4. In a vault, the combination with ad joining metal slabs having undercut recesses in their adjacent edges extending transversely with respect to the planes of said slabs; of alocking bar,[wholly within and concealed by the outer surface of said vault,

having projections respectively inserted in the recesses in said slabs, transversely to the planes of said slabs, and interlocking said slabs; all of the interlocking surfaces transverse to said slabs being parallel with each other; whereby said bar may be removed in a direction transverse with respect to the planes of said slabs.

5. In a vault, the combination with adjoining metal slabs having recesses in their adjacent edges extending transversely wlth with ad in said slabs, transversely to the planes of said slabs, and interlocking saidslabs; all of {tlie interlocking surfaces transverse to said slabs being parallel with each other; whereby said bar may be removed in a direction transverse with respect to the planes of said slabs. I

v 6. In a vault, the combination with metallic wall slabs, one having a unitary projebtion engaging a recess in the other, and each having an undercut recess adjacent, to the other slab; the opposite surfaces of said recesses being parallel with each other; of a locking bar having projections extending transversely to said bar and parallel. with eaehlother inserted in said recesses and interlocking said slabs; said bar being removable in' a direction transverse with respect to the planes of said slabs.

7. In a vault, the combinationwith ad:

joining. metallic wall slabs extending at recess, adjacent to the other slab, in its i'nner thereof; said recesses respectively including undercut portions each having opposite parallel walls; said portions extending parallel with each other and with the junction of said slabs, but in oblique relation to the planes of both ofsaid slabs; of a locking bar, embedded in the recesses in said slabs, having two projecting members with opposite parallel walls, said-projecting mem bers being parallel with. each other and connected by a web; whereby said locking bar may be inserted and withdrawn in a direc tion oblique with respect vto the planes of both of said slabs, without-movement of the latter with respect to each other; said looking bar being wholly within,'and concealed by, the outer surface of said vault, having its inner and outer faces respectively parallel with the inner and outer faces of said slabs, and having its inner surfaces flush with the inner surfaces of said vault. v I

8. In a vault, the combination with adjoining metallic wallslabs extending at right angles to'each other and each having a recess, adjacent to the other slab, in, its inner face and not extending to the outer face thereof; said recesses respectively including undercut allel walls; said portions extending parallel witlreach other but in oblique relation to the planes of both of said slabs;,of-'a locking bar 7 embedded in the recesses in said slabs having two projecting members 9 each have. ing'opposite parallel walls, said projecting members beingsparallel with each other and connected by a right angular said locking portions each having opposite pjaija web; whereby" bar may be inserted and right angles to each other and each having a j withdrawn in a direction oblique with respect to the planes of both of said slabs, without movement of the latter with respect to each other; said locking bar being Wholly within, and concealed by, the outer surface of said vault, having its inner and outer faces respectively parallel with the inner and outer faces of said slabs, and having its inner surfaces flush with the inner surfaces of said vault.

9. In a vault, the combination with adjoining metal slabs having recesses in their adjacent edges extending transversely with respect to the planes of said slabs; of a locking bar, Wholly Within and concealed by the outer surface of said vault, having projections respectively inserted in the recesses of said slabs, transversely to the planes of said slabs, and interlocking said slabs; all of the interlocking surfaces transverse to said slabs, being in the same spaced relation throughout their extent; whereby said bar may be removed in a direction transverse with respect to the planes of said slabs.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this twentieth day of February 1909.

WALTER REES.

WVitnesses AL DOHERTY, JOHN STAPLETON'.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

